Token-actuated control circuit

ABSTRACT

A token-actuated control circuit operable for verifying authenticity of a token and initiating energization of a controlled machine includes an SCR controlled by a neon tube and an R-C circuit. The control circuit is convertible between two modes of operation to selectively effect energization of the machine with invalidation of the token as a prerequisite or to effect energization without invalidation of the token.

United States Patent Rottering TOKEN-ACTUATED CONTROL CIRCUIT V [72] Inventor: Quintin N. Rottering, Newton, Iowa [73] Assignee: The Maytag Company, Newton,

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22 Filed: Dec.6, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 205,238

[52] US. Cl. ..l94/4 C [51] Int. Cl. ..G07f 1/06 [58] Field of Search 194/4, 9, l0, 13

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Smith 194/4 B [451 Oct. 3, 1972 3,556,275 l/l97l Rottering 194/4 C Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Attorney-William G. Landwier et al.

[ ABSTRACT A token-actuated control circuit operable for verifying authenticity of a token and initiating energization of a controlled machine includes an SCR controlled by a neon tube and an R-C circuit. The control circuit is convertible between two modes of operation to selectively efiect energization of the machine with invalidation of the token as a prerequisite or to effect energization without invalidation of the token.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures TOKEN-ACTUATED CONTROL CIRCUIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an actuation system including use of a token for energizing a machine and more particularly to a control circuit including a thyristor actuated by a discharge device responsive to verification of token authenticity.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art patents show the use of tokens or tickets for effecting energization of a controlled apparatus. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,187 issued to T. R. Smith and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention discloses a token-operated actuation system requiring a thorough verification of the authenticity of the token before the device is actuated including destructive verification of the token base member material as well as the verification of the size of the token and the electrical circuit contained on the surface of the token. The circuit includes a neon tube and photocell.

On the other hand, US. Pat. No. 3,556,275 issued to Q. N. Rottering and also assigned to the assignee of the instant invention discloses a token-operated actuation system that eliminated the photocell but required a pair of gate-controlled rectifiers and a pair of relays for initiating a single energization of the apparatus responsive to a valid token without requiring invalidation of the token.

The search for circuit simplicity to secure lower original cost and improved operational reliability has continued.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide an improved token-actuated control system.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a simplified token-actuated control circuit.

It is a still further object of the instant invention to provide a token-actuated control circuit including a single thyristor and single relay and operable for authenticating a token and effecting energization of a machine.

The instant invention achieves these objects in a token-actuated control system having a thyristor controlled by a discharge device that is in turn controlled by an R-C circuit. Energization of a machine is thus effected by the thyristor responsive to a valid token.

Operation of the device and other objects and advantages thereof will become evident as the description proceeds and from an examination of the accompanying two pages of drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention with similar numerals referring to similar parts throughout the several views, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged longitudinal section view of a token receiver and inserted token useful in a control system embodying the instant invention as adapted for non-invalidation of the token;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a token for use with the receiver shown in FIG. 1;

instant invention as adapted for non-invalidating operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a token receiver assembly 10 including a front plate 11, a top wall 12 having a printed circuit on its lower face, and a bottom wall 14 spaced from the top wall 12 by a contact retainer 15. The top wall 12 and contact retainer 15 are formed on non-conductive materials and are held together in sandwich form with the bottom wall 14 by a plurality of screws 16. The retainer 15 is formed with a longitudinal recess 17 and, with the bottom wall 14, forms a slot therebetween for receiving a token 20. This sandwich assembly is attached to the front plate 11 at the downwardly extending front flange 21 of the bottom wall 14 by a pair of screws 22. The front plate 11 is formed with a semi-spherical recess 24 and an elon' gated aperture 25 to facilitate insertion of a token 20 into the longitudinal slot between the contact retainer 15 and the bottom wall 14. The front plate 11 is also formed with rear studs 26 to facilitate attachment of the token receiver assembly 10 to a panel (not shown) of the controlled machine.

A bracket 27 is mounted on the top wall 12 and attached with screws 30 thereto. Formed in the bracket is a sloping clutch ramp 31 which, in conjunction with a spring 32 extending through a narrow slot 33 in the clutch ramp, and a roller 34, provides a one-way clutch for engaging the inserted token 20 and preventing withdrawal thereof from the token receiver assembly 10.

As also indicated in FIG. 1, the contact retainer 15 is formed with several holes 35 to accommodate an electrically conductive spring 36 and ball 37 which cooperate to function as an electrical contact engageable between the printed circuit of the top wall 12 and the inserted token 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention nine identical contacts are provided but this number may be greater or smaller. The top wall 12 is also provided with means at the rear end 40 thereof for receiving electrical connectors (not shown) to connect the circuitry of the top wall 12 and in turn each of the contacts with the control circuit. The token 20 in turn contains an electrically conductive printed circuit on its surface engageable by selected contact balls 37 for completing a circuit therebetween. It is thus clear that a circuit may be completed from an electrical terminal connected to the top wall 12, through the printed circuit of the top wall, through the contact spring 36 and contact ball 37 and through the circuit on the surface of the token 20.

Mounted on the upwardly extending bracket 27 of the token receiver assembly 10 is a single pole double throw switch 41. The switch 41 is actuated by a pivot arm 42 which extends downwardly through an opening in the sandwich assembly and terminates at its lower extremity in an end finger 44 which is abutted by an inserted token 20, as in FIG. 3, so as to move the arm 42 for closing the normally open contacts of the switch 41. The operation of the switch 41 will be shown hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a token 20 having on at least one face thereof electrically conductive material 45 in a prearranged pattern as indicated by the areas with cross-hatching. The token 20 may be in the form of a generally rectangular ticket or card 46 with a recess 47 along each edge and with the electrically conductive material arranged so as to be engaged by at least some of the contact balls 47. The nine contacts are arranged to engage the token at the contact points indicated by the circular dots 50 on the token 20 in FIG. 2. Thus it is seen that an electrical circuit may be completed between the contact points through the conductive material 45. The circuit may also be arranged by bussing or jumpers in the token receiver assembly so that the circuit may be completed through both of the conductive portions engaged by the two pairs of contacts.

In order to make counterfeiting of the token more difficult, the face of the token may additionally contain non-conductive printed material 51 as is shown by the lighter shaded areas in FIG. 2. The non-conductive material 51 has an appearance substantially indistinguishable from the conductive material 45 on an authentic token 20 but is shown with lighter shading than the conductive material in FIG. 2 for purposes of explanation. The conductive and non-conductive patterns may be arranged in various designs to disguise and conceal the location of the electrically conductive material.

The actuation circuit, as will be more fully described hereinafter, requires that selected pairs of the contacts, which shall be called operating contacts, engage the token 20 at preselected locations on the electrically conductive material to complete a circuit therethrough and requires that selected others of the contacts, which shall be called shorting contacts," engage the token 20 at locations which are not electrically connected to any of the operating contacts. In this embodiment the camouflaging non-conductive material on the surface of the token is engaged by selected shorting contacts as in FIG. 2, but it is also pointed out that these shorting contacts could engage the token base member 46 directly if it is electrically non-conductive.

The instant invention is embodied in a token-actuated control system having flexibility permitting operation as a token invalidating circuit or a non-invalidating circuit. U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,187 previously referred to is specifically directed to a token invalidating system and discusses the advantages of a system in which the token 20 is invalidated in the verification process. The system provides a further verification of the authenticity of the token by requiring a token 20 having a particular base material characteristic. The invalidation of the token 20 serves to prevent reuse of the token in its invalidated form and the presence of only invalidated tokens in the machine is desirable to discourage pilferage and the attendant damage to the machine. On the other hand the use of disposable tokens requires the provision for new tokens for each actuation and represents additional operating cost to the owner. And thus there has been indicated a desire to provide a token-actuating circuit retaining the advantages and safeguards provided by the token 20 while sacrificing to the extent necessary to permit reuse of the tokens. A circuit for actuating a machine with a printed circuit token without invalidating of the token to permit its reuse is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,275 referred to hereinabove. It is noted, however, that this circuit requires a pair of relays and associated switches to achieve the actuation without invalidating the token.

The desirability of a system having sufficient flexibility of operation to provide either token invalidating operation or non-invalidating operation without the addition of additional relays is thus recognized but such a system has heretofore been unavailable.

Invalidation in the invalidating mode of operation of the circuit embodying instant invention is achieved by heat deforming the base member 20 of the token as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,l65,l87. The token 20 shown in FIG. 2 is heat deformable but may be used in either of the two modes of operation as will be shown. The base member 46 of the token 20 is made of a heat-deformable material such as a thermoplastic having a plasticizing temperature in a range which permits it to be readily deformed by a heating element. Additional benefits and advantages may be secured with the use of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic which will tend to shrink and contract as with a plastic memory rather than sag or flow as some thermoplastics. These controlled deformation characteristics permit the heat distortion of the token 20 in the receiver 10 without the danger of jamming.

Referring to FIG. 3 the token receiver assembly 10 is shown with a heater lamp 52 positioned below the bottom wall 14 and partially enclosed by a reflector shield 54. The heater lamp 52 is secured to the bottom wall 14 by the insertion of its base into a socket 55 which is attached to the bottom wall by a bracket 56. In FIG. 3 the reflector shield 54 and heater lamp 52 are shown in fragmentary form. To facilitate localized heating of the token 20 by the heater lamp 52 the bottom wall 14 is formed with an opening 57 adjacent the end 44 of the switch lever 42 which allows heat from the heater lamp 52 to be locally absorbed. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 the token 20 is further provided with heat absorbing material in localized areas such as at 59 to facilitate more rapid heat absorption by the base member 46 of the token 20. Thus when the heater lamp 52 is energized the inserted token 20, when formed of a heat deformable material such as a biaxially thermoplastic, will be rendered plastic and will tend to shrink and contract at selected areas.

The controlled deformation characteristics of the material for the base member 46 of the token are utilized in conjunction with the heater lamp 52 as an additional verification of the authenticity of the token 20. This verification is accomplished by requiring that the token 20 deform or shrink a predetermined amount at the point of abutment of the finger 44 of the springloaded switch 41 before the device may be actuated and in the process the token 20 is effectively invalidated. The shrinkage is characterized by the tendency of the thermoplastic to pull in at the edges of the original token base member 46 at the localized areas which are juxtaposed to the openings in the bottom wall. This pulling away from the edges tends to form an indentation in the token as shown by the broken line 60 in FIG. 3. This initial invalidating deformation allows the finger 44 of the pivot arm 42 to return to its normal position and thus allows the switch 41 to complete an electrical circuit for actuating the device.

It may be seen that upon insertion of a new token the switch will operate to the normally open contact as the finger 44 moves out of the indentation and then will operate to the normally closed contact at the recess 47 and at the junction of the tokens because of the corner radii. Upon full insertion the switch 41 will be operated to the normally open contact.

The token receiver assembly and the token useful therewith are similar to the device and token shown in US. Pat. No. 3,165,187 issued .Ian. 12, 1965, to T. R. Smith and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. Reference may be had to that patent for further description of the construction and operation of the token receiver assembly 10 and of the token 20 useful therewith in a mode of operation wherein the token is invalidated as a portion of the verification process.

Turning attention to FIGS. 4 and 5, two electrical schematic circuits having similarly connected identical components are shown. The circuit is shown in association with a washing machine but could be used with other machines, such as a fabric dryer, for example. The circuit of FIG. 4 is operable for providing a token invalidating system while FIG. 5 is operable for a noninvalidating system. It is noted that the circuits are identical except that the heater lamp 52 is effectively disconnected in FIG. 5 and that the connections to the token switch 41 are reversed in FIG. 5 as compared to FIG. 4. Generally speaking, both circuits include, first, a circuit portion indicated generally by numeral 61 for effecting energization and control of a machine through a cycle of operations and, second, circuit means indicated generally by numeral 62 for verifying the authenticity of the token. In each circuit the verifying circuit means 62 is associated with an auxiliary dc. power supply circuit portion 64 and a relay 65. Similarly, both circuits include a token switch 41 responsive to insertion of the token 20. It is noted that the circuits contain a single relay.

Referring now to FIG. 4 in particular, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the token-actuated control system of the instant invention as adapted to effect energization responsive to verification and invalidation of a token 20.

The circuit is supplied with 120 volt 60 hz. alternating current between a pair of power supply conductors 66 and 67. The machine control circuit includes a plurality of sequentially operated program control timer switches 70-74 shown in FIG. 4 as a plurality of pairs of contacts. These switches are operable between open and closed positions under control of a timing motor 75 and will be referred to as timer switches 70-74. The machine control circuit 61 further includes a water level control in the form of a pressure responsive switch 76 operable between first and second contacts 77 and 78. Operation of the switch 76 to the first contact 77 when the washing machine container is substantially empty completes a circuit to a water valve coil 80 through the timer switch 74. Operation of the pressure switch 76 to the second contact 78 when the container reaches a predetermined water level completes a circuit to one side of the timer motor 75 and to the timer switch 73 in series with the main drive motor 81.

The dc power supply 64 is connected to the timer switch 71 and includes a series-connected resistor 82, capacitor 83, and rectifier 84. Connected to the dc power supply 64 is an R-C circuit portion comprising capacitor 86, resistor 87 and resistor 88 and connected in series with the contacts 37 engageable with the conductive portion 45 of the token 20. A neon tube 90 is disposed in parallel circuit to capacitor 86 and is responsive to a predetermined charge on the capacitor 86 for switching to a relatively low resistance condition and effecting a triggering of an SCR 91 to a conductive condition. A resistor 92 is connected across the cathode 94 and gate 95 of the SCR 91 and a filter capacitor 96 and resistor 97 are connected across the cathode 94 and the anode 98 of the SCR 91.

Upon the SCR 91 becoming conductive, a circuit is completed to a relay coil 100 for operating relay switches 101 and 102 to the closed position and for operating relay switch 103 from contact 104 to contact 105. The operation of the relay switches 101, 102, and 103 will effect energization of the heating lamp 52 to invalidate the token 20 and initiate energization of the machine. The operation and sequential energization of the various components for achieving this control function will be more fully shown hereinafter.

The token switch 41 is biased to a normally closed contact 106 and is operable to a second contact 107 by the token upon insertion of the token 20 into the receiver 10. Upon deformation of the token 20 at the switch lever 42, the switch 41 will operate under its biasing force to the normally closed contact 106 for cooperating with the circuitry through the relay switches 101 and 102 to effect an energization of the apparatus.

As previously noted, the token verifying circuit portion 62 requires completion of an electrical circuit through the electrically conductive portion 45 of the token 20 in order to achieve a charging of the capacitor 86. If, however, an invalid token is inserted so that one of the discharging contacts of the token receiver 10 engages an improperly conductive portion of the token, a circuit is completed through resistor 110, the improperly conductive portion of the token, and through resistor 88 to maintain capacitor 86 discharged for ef fectively preventing energization of the machine.

Furthermore, if a conductive object is inserted into the receiver 10 a circuit will be completed across both the operating contacts and the shorting contacts. In such an occurrence a voltage divider network is established between conductors 111 and 112 with the junction at the conductive object. The circuit, however, prevents firing of the neon tube and thus the machine is not energized.

In a preferred embodiment, the components shown in FIG. 4 have representative values as follows:

Resistor 82 I80 ohms Resistor 87 220,000 ohms Resistor 88 470,000 ohms Resistor 92 L000 ohms Resistor 97 10 ohms Resistor 150,000 ohms Capacitor 83 2 microfarads Capacitor 86 Neon tube 90 In this specific embodiment, the values shown above are based on the parameters necessary to insure firing of the neon tube in the presence of a valid token while preventing firing thereof in the presence of a shorted condition between both the operating contacts and the shorting contacts whereby a conductive path is completed through both legs of the voltage divider network between conductors 111 and 112.

Other factors considered in the selection of the component values include using as small a capacitor for each of capacitors 83 and 86 as possible to reduce the component cost while insuring that the voltage storage capability of each is sufficiently high. More specifically, capacitor 86 must effect the firing of the neon tube 90 responsive to a valid token and supply sufficient triggering voltage and current to the SCR to effect operation of the SCR to a conductive condition. Capacitor 83 must effect the charging of capacitor 86 ad maintain relay coil 100 energized and SCR 91 conductive subsequent to the firing of the neon tube 90.

The circuitry and operation of FIG. 4 is more completely understood by considering an actuation and operation sequence as will be now described. The circuit shown in FIG. 4 is depicted at the point in time after completion of the prior cycle of operations with an invalidated token in the receiver. in this circuit, the time switches 70 and 71 are closed to permit energization of the token verifying circuit upon insertion of a token 20 and to permit energization of the timer motor 75 upon verification and invalidation of the token 20. Timer switch 74 is closed and timer switch 73 is open preventing energization of the main drive motor. The token switch 41 is shown in its biased normally closed position made to contact 106 while the relay 65 is shown in the deenergized position with switches 101 and 102 open and switch 103 made to contact 104. With this circuit posture the washing machine is at an Off condition.

Upon initial insertion ofa token 20, the token switch 41 operates to the normally open contact 107. A circuit is completed between the conductors 66 and 67 energizing the dc. power source 64 including the resistor 82, capacitor 83, and the rectifier 84 through a circuit including closed timer switches 70 and 71 connected to conductor 66 and token switch 41 made to the normally open contact 107 connected to conductor 67. The circuit connected across capacitor 84 by conductors 111 and 112 is effectively not energized until the contacts engage electrically conductive material on the token and since the SCR 91 is non-conductive energization of the relay 65 is prevented.

Upon full insertion of the token 20, the dc. power supply 64 is maintained energized through switch 41 made to contact 107 and the charging contacts 37 engage the conductive material 45 for completing a circuit therethrough. The completion of the circuit through the electrically conductive material of the token initiates the charging of capacitor 86 by a circuit connected across capacitor 83 by conductors 111 and 112. Conductor 111 is connected to one side of the capacitor 86 while the other side of the capacitor 86 is connected to conductor 112 through resistor 87, the charging contacts 37 and conductive material 45 on the token 20 and resistor 88. Capacitor 83 is maintained charged by the circuit between the power line conductors 66 and 67 but such continued charging of capacitor 83 is unnecessary to effect charging of capacitor 86 as will be shown for FIG. 5.

After a short period of charging time of approximately a fraction of a second, the capacitor 86 reaches sufficient voltage to effect energization of the neon tube 90. Capacitor 86 is effectively discharged through the neon tube 90 to provide a triggering current to the gate of the SCR 91 and, by virtue of current flow through resistor 92, a triggering voltage across the cathode 94 and gate 95 of the SCR 91. Energization of the neon tube 90 thus triggers the SCR 91 to a conductive condition between the cathode 94 to anode 98 for effecting energization of the relay 65. The energizing circuit extends from conductor 111 through the cathode 94 to anode 98 of the SCR 91 to one side of the relay coil 100. The other side of the relay coil 100 is connected to the power line conductor 67 through conductor 112, the rectifier 84, and the token-operated switch 41 made to the normally open contact 107. With the SCR 91 switch on, half wave current will flow through the relay coil 100 supported by discharge of capacitor 83 to continuously maintain holding current through the SCR 91 to the relay coil 100.

The energization of the relay coil 100 operates relay switches 101 and 102 to the closed position and operates relay switch 103 from contact 105 to contact 104. it is noted that with the switch 41 operated by the token 20 to the normally open contact 107 energization of the machine control circuit including timer motor 75, main drive motor 81, and fill valve coil 80 are not yet energized. Operation of the relay 65, however, effects operation of the invalidating means through energization of the heating lamp 52 by a circuit extending from the conductor 66 through timer contacts 70 and 71 to one side of the heating lamp 52. The other side of the heating lamp 52 is connected to the conductor 67 through relay switch 103 made to contact 105 and through conductors 113 and relay switch 101. Energization of the heating lamp 52 will effect localized heating of the token 20 and if the token is of the proper material a heat distortion will be induced at the area adjacent to the switch lever finger 44 to effect operation of the token switch 41 from the normally open contact 107 to the normally closed contact 106. Thus providing further verification of the token authenticity.

Operation of the token switch 41 to the normally closed contact 106 effects completion of a bypass circuit around the open timer contact 72 for energizing the machine control circuit to initiate the cycle of operations under control of the timer. More specifically,the fill valve coil 80 and timer motor 75 are energized to initiate the fill operation and the timing cycle. The timer motor energization circuit extends from conductor 66 through timer switch 70 to one side of the timer motor 75. The other side of the timer motor 75 is connected to conductor 114 and in turn through conductor 115, closed relay switch 102 and conductor 1 16 to the normally closed contact 106 of the token switch 41. The circuit continues through conductors 117 and 118 and relay switch 101 to the other power line conductor 67. Similarly, the fill valve coil 80 is energized by a circuit that extends from power line conductor 66 through the pressure switch 76 made to the empty contact 77 and through closed timer switch 74 to one side of the fill valve coil 80. The other side of the fill valve coil 80 is connected to conductor 114 which completes a circuit to the power line conductor 67 along a path as described for energization of the timer motor 75. After a predetermined period of operation of the timing motor 75, one increment of advance, for example, the timer switch 71 will open and timer switches 72 and 73 will close to effectively remove the token verification circuit portion from the control circuit and to energize thedrive motor 81 under control of the timer.

Comparing FIGS. 4 and 5, it is noted that the components shown in each circuit are identical and that the circuitry is also identical except that the heater lamp 52 has been disconnected and the conductors connected to the contacts 106 and 107 of the token switch 41 have been reversed so that the normally closed contact 106 of the token switch 41 is connected to conductor 67 while the normally open contact 107 of the token switch 41 is connected to one side of relay switch 102. For purposes of distinction between the circuits of FIGS. 4 and 5, contact 106 is connected to the conductor 67 by line 119 and contact 107 connected to relay switch 102 by line 120 in FIG. 5. The balance of the numeral designations in FIG. 5 are the same as for FIG. 4. With this modified circuitry, it will be shown that the token is not invalidated but the balance of the token verification process is required to effect energization of the controlled machine. It will become clear that because of the reversal of the connections to the token switch 41 and the elimination of token invalidation, the operation responsive to the insertion of a token is distinctly different.

The circuit as shown in FIG. 5 is again shown with the machine in an Off condition and with the previous token in the token receiver 10. With a token in the receiver, which has not been invalidated as in the circuit of FIG. 4, the switch 41 is made to the normally open contact 107. Upon the initial insertion of a new token, the switch lever finger 44 will drop into the recess 47 formed along the side of the token 20 so that the switch 41 Operates to the normally closed contact 106 and completes a circuit to the dc power supply 64. The circuit extends from the first conductor 66 through the timer switches 70 and 71, and through the resistor 82 to one side of the capacitor 83. The other side of the capacitor 83 is connected to power line conductor 67 through the rectifier 84 and through the token switch 41 made to the normally closed contact 106 that is in turn connected to the conductor 67 through a conductor 119. The time that the token is in position for the lever finger 44 to be in the recess 41 during the movement of the new token into the receiver 10 is sufficient for the capacitor 83 to become charged to a given voltage. The charge in turn is sufficient to serve as an auxiliary power supply for the verification circuit even after the circuit to the power supply is broken when the token reaches the position of full insertion and the token switch 41 is operated to its normally open contact 107.

With the token in the fully inserted position, a circuit is completed across charging contacts 37, as in FIG. 4, for completing a charging circuit to the capacitor 86. The dc power supply '64 will charge the capacitor 86 to the firing voltage of the neon tube in a relatively short period of time. The charging path for capacitor 86 extends from conductor 111 to one side of the capacitor 86 from the other side of the capacitor 86 through resistor 87, charging contacts 37, the conductive material 45 of the token, and resistor 88 to conductor 112. As with the circuit shown in FIG. 4, the charging of the capacitor 86 to a voltage of approximately 72 volts will effect firing of the neon tube.

The firing of the neon tube 90 triggers the SCR 91 to a conductive condition between its cathode 94 to anode 98 to in turn effect energization of the relay coil 100 as in FIG. 4. Again, energization of the relay coil 100 effects operation of the relay switches 101 and 102 to the closed position and operation of the relay switch 103 from its first contact 105 to the second contact 104.

Since the invalidation means 52 is disconnected,

there will be no heat distortion of the token. Furthermore, since the token switch 41 is now operated to the normally open contact 107, a circuit is completed to the timer motor 75. The circuit extends from the first conductor 66 through timer contact 70 to one side of the timer motor 75. The other side of the timer motor 75 is connected to the other power line conductor 67 through conductor 114, conductor 115, relay switch 102, and conductor to the normally open contact 107 of the token switch 41. The token switch 41 is then connected to the other power line conductor 67 through conductors 117 and 118 and closed relay switch 101. Thus a circuit is completed which bypasses the open timer switch 72 to effect energization of the controlled machine. Similarly a circuit is completed through the fill valve coil 80 to effect a filling of the machine with washing fluid. After a predetermined period of operation of the timer, timer switch 71 will be opened and timer switches 72 and 73 will be closed to pass control of the apparatus to the timer mechanism.

It is thus clear that the conversion of the circuit of FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 5 is easily accomplished by manually switching the conductors connected to the token switch contacts 106 and 107 and by disconnecting the heat lamp 52. Though FIG. 1 shows the lamp 52 and socket 55 completely removed, it is only necessary to remove the lamp 52 from the socket 55 or to disconnect the leads to the socket 55. The disconnection of the heat lamp 52 and the reversal of the connectors to the token switch 41 may also be accomplished by the use of switches.

It is thus seen that the instant invention provides a simplified and improved token-operated control circuit. The elimination of components insures lower original cost and improved operational reliability.

The invention disclosed herein is related to and disclosed in an application entitled Convertible Token- Actuated Control System filed by Curran D. Cotton on an even date with this application and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

In the claims and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and the proportion of parts as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

lclaim:

1. A token-actuated control circuit for a machine, comprising: first circuit means for energizing and controlling said machine through a cycle of operations; receiver means for reception of a token; means associated with said receiver means for verifying the authenticity of at least one token characteristic, said verifying means including means for completing an electrical path through a preselected electrically conductive portion of said token; thyristor means and a discharge device controlling operation of said thyristor means from a first condition to a second condition responsive to completion of said electrical path through said preselected conductive portion; and second circuit means responsive to the second condition of said thyristor means for energizing said first circuit means to initiate said cycle of operations.

2. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 1 and further including token invalidating means controlled by said second circuit means responsive to verification of said token and operable for invalidating said token to effect completion of an energizing circuit to said first circuit means for initiating said cycle of operations.

3. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 1 and further including an auxiliary d.c. power supply circuit energized during insertion of said token and operable for effecting operation of said verifying means upon insertion of an authentic token to a predetermined position in said receiver means.

4. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 1 and further including a voltage divider circuit portion for completing a second electrical path through a conductive portion of an improper token to effectively prevent operation of said discharge device whereby said thyristor means is maintained in said first condition.

5. A token-actuated control circuit for a machine, comprising: first circuit means for energizing and controlling said machine through a cycle of operations; receiver means for reception of a token; means associated with said receiver means for verifying the authenticity of at least one token characteristic and including an R-C circuit portion for completing a first electrical path through a preselected electrically conductive portion of a valid token; thyristor means operable from a first condition to a second condition; a discharge device for initiating operation of said thyristor means from said first condition to said second condition responsive to a predetermined voltage condition of said R-C circuit portion, said verifying means further including a shorting circuit portion for completing a second electrical path through a conductive portion of an improper token to prevent said R-C circuit portion from assuming said predetermined voltage condition; and second circuit means responsive to the second condition of said thyristor means for energizing said first circuit means to initiate said cycle of operations upon insertion ofa valid token.

6. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 5 wherein said R-C circuit portion and said shorting circuit portion comprise a voltage divider circuit in the presence of said first and second electrical paths and wherein the voltage drop across the R-C circuit portion is below said predetermined voltage condition whereby said discharge device is not actuated.

7. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 5 wherein said R-C circuit portion includes a capacitor in series connection with a pair of contacts engaging the electrically conductive material on said token and chargeable to a predetermined voltage for actuating said discharge device.

8. A token-actuated control circuit for a machine, comprising: first circuit means for energizing and controlling said machine through a cycle of operations; receiver means for reception of a token; means associated with said receiver means for verifying the authenticity of at least one token characteristic and including an R-C circuit portion responsive to completion of an electrical path through a preselected electrically conductive portion of a valid token; an auxiliary dc. power supply connected to said R-C circuit portion and operable for effecting energization thereof upon completion of said electrical path; thyristor means operable from a first electrical condition to a second electrical condition; a discharge device connected to said thyristor means and operable for initiating operation of said thyristor means from said first condition to said second condition responsive to a predetermined voltage condition of said R-C circuit portion; and second circuit means responsive to the second condition of said thyristor means for energizing said first circuit means to initiate said cycle of operations.

9. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 8 wherein said auxiliary dc. power supply includes a first capacitor and said R-C circuit portion includes a second capacitor chargeable to said predetermined voltage condition by said first capacitor.

10. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 9 wherein said second capacitor is connected in parallel circuit to said first capacitor and wherein said second capacitor is sufficiently large to insure the actuation of said discharge device and the triggering of said thyristor means to said second condition and wherein further said first capacitor is sufficiently large to insure charging of said second capacitor to said predetermined voltage condition.

11. A token-actuated control circuit for a machine, the combination comprising: first circuit means for energizing and controlling said machine through a cycle of operations; receiver means for reception of a token; means associated with said receiver means for verifying the authenticity of at least one token characteristic and including an R-C circuit portion for completing a first electrical path through a preselected electrically conductive portion of a valid token; an auxiliary dc. power supply circuit means operable for energizing said R-C circuit portion; SCR means operable from a non-conductive condition to a conductive condition; and a neon tube discharge device responsive to a predetermined voltage on said R-C circuit portion for triggering said SCR means to said second condition responsive to a valid token, said verifying means further including a shorting circuit portion for completing a second electrical path through a conductive portion of an improper token and comprising with said R- C circuit portion a voltage divider circuit to prevent said R-C circuit portion from assuming said predetercuit in the presence of completion of both said first and second electrical paths being sufi'iciently small to prevent actuation of said neon tube discharge device.

13. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 11 wherein said SCR means is connected to said auxiliary dc. power supply circuit means and wherein said second circuit means includes a relay connected to said SCR means and energized at least in part by said auxiliary dc. power supply circuit means. 

1. A token-actuated control circuit for a machine, comprising: first circuit means for energizing and controlling said machine through a cycle of operations; receiver means for reception of a token; means associated with said receiver means for verifying the authenticity of at least one token characteristic, said verifying means including means for completing an electrical path through a preselected electrically conductive portion of said token; thyristor means and a discharge device controlling operation of said thyristor means from a first condition to a second condition responsive to completion of said electrical path through said preselected conductive portion; and second circuit means responsive to the second condition of said thyristor means for energizing said first circuit means to initiate said cycle of operations.
 2. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 1 and further including token invalidating means controlled by said second circuit means responsive to verification of said token and operable for invalidating said token to effect completion of an energizing circuit to said first circuit means for initiating said cycle of operations.
 3. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 1 and further including an auxiliary d.c. power supply circuit energized during insertion of said token and operable for effecting operation of said verifying means upon insertion of an authentic token to a predetermined position in said receiver means.
 4. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 1 and further including a voltage divider circuit portion for completing a second electrical path through a conductive portion of an improper token to effectively prevent operation of said discharge device whereby said thyristor means is maintained in said first condition.
 5. A token-actuated control circuit for a machine, comprising: first circuit means for energizing and controlling said machine through a cycle of operations; receiver means for reception of a token; means associated with said receiver means for verifying the authenticity of at least one token characteristic and including an R-C circuit portion for completing a first electrical path through a preselected electrically conductive portion of a valid token; thyristor means operable from a first condition to a second condition; a discharge device for initiating operation of said thyristor means from said first condition to said second condition responsive to a predetermined voltage condition of said R-C circuit portion, said verifying means further including a shorting circuit portion for completing a second electrical path through a conductive portion of an improper token to prevent said R-C circuit portion from assuming said predetermined voltage condition; and second circuit means responsive to the second condition of said thyristor means for energizing said first circuit means to initiate said cycle of operations upon insertion of a valid token.
 6. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 5 wherein said R-C circuit portion and said shorting circuit portion comprise a voltage divider circuit in the presence of said first and second electrical paths and wherein the voltage drop across the R-C circuit portion is below said predetermined voltage condition whereby said discharge device is not actuated.
 7. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 5 wherein said R-C circuit portion includes a capacitor in series connection with a pair of contacts engaging the electrically conductive material on said token and chargeable to a predetermined voltage for actuating said discharge device.
 8. A token-actuated control circuit for a machine, comprising: first circuit means for energizing and controlling said machine through a cycle of operations; receiver means for reception of a token; means associated with said receiver means for verifying the authenticity of at least one token characteristic and including an R-C circuit portion responsive to completion of an electrical path through a preselected electrically conductive portion of a valid token; an auxiliary d.c. power supply connected to said R-C circuit portion and operable for effecting energization thereof upon completion of said electrical path; thyristor means operable from a first electrical condition to a second electrical condition; a discharge device connected to said thyristor means and operable for initiating operation of said thyristor means from said first condition to said second condition responsive to a predetermined voltage condition of said R-C circuit portion; and second circuit means responsive to the second condition of said thyristor means for energizing said first circuit means to initiate said cycle of operations.
 9. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 8 wherein said auxiliary d.c. power supply includes a first capacitor and said R-C circuit portion includes a second capacitor chargeable to said predetermined voltage condition by said first capacitor.
 10. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 9 wherein said second capacitor is connected in parallel circuit to said first capacitor and wherein said second capacitor is sufficiently large to insure the actuation of said discharge device and the triggering of said thyristor means to said second condition and wherein further said first capacitor is Sufficiently large to insure charging of said second capacitor to said predetermined voltage condition.
 11. A token-actuated control circuit for a machine, the combination comprising: first circuit means for energizing and controlling said machine through a cycle of operations; receiver means for reception of a token; means associated with said receiver means for verifying the authenticity of at least one token characteristic and including an R-C circuit portion for completing a first electrical path through a preselected electrically conductive portion of a valid token; an auxiliary d.c. power supply circuit means operable for energizing said R-C circuit portion; SCR means operable from a non-conductive condition to a conductive condition; and a neon tube discharge device responsive to a predetermined voltage on said R-C circuit portion for triggering said SCR means to said second condition responsive to a valid token, said verifying means further including a shorting circuit portion for completing a second electrical path through a conductive portion of an improper token and comprising with said R-C circuit portion a voltage divider circuit to prevent said R-C circuit portion from assuming said predetermined voltage condition with said improper token in said receiver means; and second circuit means responsive to the second condition of said SCR means for energizing said first circuit means to initiate said cycle of operations upon insertion of a valid token.
 12. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 11 wherein said R-C circuit portion includes a capacitor sufficiently large to effect actuation of said neon tube discharge device in the presence of said first electrical path and the absence of said second electrical path, the voltage drop across said voltage divider circuit in the presence of completion of both said first and second electrical paths being sufficiently small to prevent actuation of said neon tube discharge device.
 13. A token-actuated control circuit as defined in claim 11 wherein said SCR means is connected to said auxiliary d.c. power supply circuit means and wherein said second circuit means includes a relay connected to said SCR means and energized at least in part by said auxiliary d.c. power supply circuit means. 